New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs is progressing comfortably in Foxboro, as highlighted by his three highlight-reel touchdowns during Saturday’s training camp practice.
After a slow start to the summer sessions, the Patriots’ free agency signing has put together another impressive practice following a stretch of strong performances last week.
Head coach Mike Vrabel spoke with the media before the session, noting that he’s seen a lot of positive things from Doubs, who’s “trending in the right direction.”
“I think [wide receivers coach Todd Downing] found where Romeo can really help us — be big, fast and aggressive, and I think that showed up in some practices that you saw,” Vrabel said. “It’s just figuring out what they do best, seeing what you can realistically improve, and then put them in those spots to help build their own confidence, and then also a place where they can help the football team.”
Doubs secured all three of his receptions in the same high-pointing motion, reaching over defensive backs Carlton Davis and Charles Woods.
“I feel exactly where I am. I think I’m progressing the right way,” Doubs said after practice about how he feels he’s performed. “[I’m] just taking these days one day at a time. I’ve learned early on that this is a day-to-day league. So, I plan on continuing to keep that the same way.”
Lining up out wide in Drake Maye’s offense, the receiver capped off a 1:05-minute drill with a score. After a 40-yard Kayshon Boutte completion to set the unit up in the red zone, Maye floated a high pass to Doubs, who went up over Woods for the catch.
During the final 11-on-11 period, Maye targeted the 26-year-old in the corner of the end zone again, extending over Woods for a second time. Doubs then celebrated by heaving the ball into the air as fans cheered from the bleachers.
“This is a game I’ve been playing for a long time. Obviously, this takes work, so I have worked on this a ton,” he said of his ability to make those plays in the red zone. “In the end, I’m just going out there, playing fast, playing physical and just making sure I put the team in a better position.”
The former Green Bay Packer also acknowledged that things are starting to slow down for him.
New England ranked 20th in the NFL last season in red-zone efficiency, converting inside the 20-yard line just 55.7% of the time. Doubs, standing 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, with 21 career touchdowns, debuts with the Patriots as a red zone threat for Maye and the offense.